Getting In Gear!

(a sneak peek of the Gears & Textures Bundle)

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Gears & Textures Bundle (item 166854).  This Bundle, which will be featured in the upcoming Stampin' Up!® January-April 2026 Mini Catalogue, includes the Gears & Textures photopolymer stamp set (item 166851) and the co-ordinating Gears & Textures dies (item 166853).  The stamp set and dies will of course also be available on their own separate from the Bundle. If you do wish to purchase both the stamp set and dies be sure to use the Bundle item number when submitting your order to ensure that you receive the 10% Bundled Savings - every little bit of savings certainly helps!

To complete my projects this week I also used the following Stampin' Up!® dies:

• Alphabet À La Mode (item 160750) - numbers "3" and "5".  Nothing significant about the numbers I used on my projects - sometimes it is just about the aesthetic appeal of a certain number😺;

• Nested Essentials (item 161597) - smallest rounded corner rectangle die;

• Stylish Shapes (item 159183) - square dies for cutting framing mat windows;

• retired Stitched Rectangles (item 151820 - featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue) - I used several of the dies for cutting framing mat windows, and the 3 1/8" x 1 13/16" die to cut an inked and stamped background panel;

• recently retired Online Exclusives Tags To Go (item 165576) - for the skeleton key die cut;

• retired Pierced Blooms (item 154312 - featured in the May 2021-April 2022 Annual Catalogue) - the piercing detail in the dies made me think of punched metal - and one of the medium flower dies was perfect for creating a couple of "rusty" faux metal flowers; and

• Sweet Bugs (item 167001) - for my two "rusty" faux metal flower card projects I used the flower stem dies from these dies that will be featured in the January-April 2026 Mini Catalogue as part of the Cute As A Bug Suite Collection (item 167007).

For several inked and stamped background panels I began by "stamping" a watercolour paper panel with a medium sized clear stamp block on which I had squirted several drops of Classic Stampin' ink refill to which I added some water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), using my finger to mix the water and ink refill.  After "stamping" the watercolour paper panel (sometimes a few times) I used my heat gun (Heat Tool - item 129053) to dry the ink, and then for  several panels lightly misted the panel with water using one the Stampin' Spritzers, blotting dry with paper towel to create a slightly mottled effect. After the panel was thoroughly dry I then stamped images from the Gears & Textures stamp set on the panel.  Trimmed strips from these panels come in handy for adding some visual interest on the inside panels of the cards - and sometimes to add a little more embellishment to the card front.  

In addition to the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) that was used for all die cutting, I used the following additional basic tools and supplies to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock and DSP, and for scoring cardstock fold lines.  To ensure crisp folds I also burnished all the folded score lines with my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the spatula and tacky putty tips are definitely a great help for manipulating and placing small embellishments and tiny die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  I transfer most of the contents from every glue bottle to a small bottle equipped with a precision tip and pin stopper, as the precision tip definitely helps  when applying glue to small - sometimes tiny! - die cuts.

I used Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade/colour cardstock die cuts.  For the cardstock faux metal die cuts I used Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199), Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679), and Coastal Cabana cardstock (item 131297), shading with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114).  For concentrated areas of "rust build up" on several of the cog die cuts I used Early Espresso ink to stamp the splatter image from the stamp set randomly over the die cuts.  It is a lot of fun experimenting with different cardstock and ink shading combinations to create a rusty metal look.  Another technique I used, and that I have used in several previous projects, is to use cardstock that has been covered with silver tape (picked up in the plumbing department of Home Depot) for the die cuts.  For the distressed faux silver metallic die cuts for this week's projects I covered Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) with the silver tape.  Before painting the die cuts with black acrylic paint I lightly sanded the tape-covered die cuts with a fine-grit sanding sponge.  After applying the paint I used my fingers to "buff" the paint - while this essentially removes most of the paint from the die cuts, paint does remain in depressed design areas of the die cuts and also helps to accentuate the scratches made in the tape surface during the sandpaper "distressing".  Another fun - but slightly messy - technique!

Combining number dies from the Alphabet À La Mode dies with the smallest of the rounded corner rectangle dies from the Nested Essentials dies is a fun way to create the bases of faux metal stencils.

On with the projects!

Additional supplies used to complete this 6 1/4" x 5" side-fold card:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the card base, and framing Nested Essentials rounded corner rectangle die cut for the number "stencil";
• watercolour paper for the 6" x 4 3/4" framing mat with 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" window opening;
• Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166) for "stamping" the watercolour paper background panel - the Gears & Textures images were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708); and
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 5 3/4" x 4 1/2" inside panel - Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the 6" x 4 5/8" matting panel, and Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202) for the 6 1/8" x 4 3/4" matting panel.

Additional supplies used to complete this 5 1/4" square top-fold card:

• Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the card base;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the front and inside panels' 5" square matting panels;
• watercolour paper for the 4 3/4" square framing mat with 2 3/8" square window;
• Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166) for "stamping" the watercolour paper background panel - the Gears & Textures images were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708); and
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 4 3/4" square inside panel.

Additional supplies used to complete this 6" x 4" top-fold card:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the card base, and for the 4 5/8" x 2 5/8" framing mat with 3 5/8" x 1 3/4" window;
• watercolour paper for the 4 3/4" x 2 3/4" framing mat with 3 1/4" x 1 1/4" window;
• Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161665) for "stamping" the watercolour paper background panel - the Gears & Textures images were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708);
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the fully framed watercolour paper panel to the card front; and
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 5" x 3 1/2" inside panel and 1/4" x 3 1/2" strip.

Additional supplies used to complete this 5 1/4" square top-fold card:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the card base, the 5" square matting panel with 2 3/8" square window, and the inside panel's 1/8" x 5" strip;
• watercolour paper for the 5" square matting panel with 2 3/4" square window opening;
• Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161665) for "stamping" the watercolour paper background panel - the Gears & Textures images were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708);
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 5" square inside panel; and
• for additional embellishments for the card front - three large and three small of the Pecan Pie dots from the recently retired Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561).

In addition to a black wood thrift store easel frame, glass removed, edges distressed with a medium-grit sandpaper, and with inside back dimensions of 6" x 4", I used the following additional supplies to complete this small decor project:

• watercolour paper for the 6" x 4" framing mat with 3 1/4" x 1 7/8" window;
• Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161665) for "stamping" the watercolour paper background panel - the Gears & Textures images were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708), despite the ink looking decidedly brown in the photo;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 2" x 1" matting panel for the trimmed number stencil (this time I did not use the Nested Essentials dies to cut the base of the stencil - this "stencil" was the negative left after having die cut the number 3 for another project and I just decided to trim it - there wasn't enough tape-covered cardstock around the number to use the Nested Essentials die - and use it as the focus for this project); and
• strip trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the matted number "stencil" to the watercolour paper background panel.

For the petals on the flower I used the lightbulb die, stamping the striped image from the stamp set on each Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) die cut using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708).  To complete this 5" x 3 1/2" top-fold card I used the following additional supplies:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Pool Party ink refill (item 122933) for "stamping" the 3 1/8" x 1 3/4" watercolour paper background panel - the Gears & Textures images were stamped using Lost Lagoon ink (item 161678); and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed watercolour paper panel, with all die cuts glued thereto, to the card front.

Additional supplies used to complete this 5 1/2" x 3 3/4" top-fold card:

• Coastal Cabana cardstock (item 131297) for the card base;
• Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the front and inside panels' 4 7/8" x 3 1/8" matting panels;
• watercolour paper for the 4 3/4" x 3" framing mat with 3 1/4" x 1 1/4" window;
• Pool Party ink refill (item 122933) for "stamping" the watercolour paper background panel - the Gears & Textures images were stamped using Lost Lagoon ink (item 161678); 
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 4 3/4" x 3" inside panel; 
• I placed one of the Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) behind the layered flower head - I backed the Pierced Blooms flower die cut with the open center cog die cut; and
• for additional embellishments on the card front, one large and two small of the Pecan Pie dots from the recently retired Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561). 

And finally . . . 

For my "Archie" project this week, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I made a 4 7/8" x 4 5/8" top-fold card.  I used watercolour paper for the card base, and for the background panel I used a three-shaded orange paint sampler card trimmed to 4" x 3 3/4", matted with a 4 1/8" x 3 7/8" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045).  Across the paint sampler card panel I added two strips of Basic Black cardstock - 1/4" x 3 3/4", and 1/2" x 3 3/4".  The sentiment, from the retired C Is For Cat stamp set (item 115764 - featured in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue), and the feline image from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674 - featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue), were both stamped on watercolour paper using StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406).  I used Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086) to colour Archie.  For the splatters added to the Stitched Rectangles sentiment panel I used my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (retired - item 162481) - flicking the brush tip against the marker lid.  I used Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084), for the flowers that were die cut using the Sweet Bugs dies (item 167001).  I used Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Sweet Bugs die cut flower stems; and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), also shaded with Mossy Meadow ink, for the two additional foliage die cuts that were die cut using the Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212).  I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach Archie to the sentiment panel to which I also glued the foliage and flower die cuts.  To the card front I added two of the small Peach Pie dots from the recently retired Party Dots (item 164602), and close to the bottom edge of the inside panel I added a 1/4" x 4 5/8" strip trimmed from the paint sampler card.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun starting to play with the Gears & Textures Bundle, and I look forward to sharing more projects in the New Year featuring this Bundle as well as more of the exciting new products being introduced in January!

January-April 2026 Mini Catalogue

And Online Exclusives January New Products Release

The January-April 2026 Mini Catalogue, featuring lots of exciting new products, launches on January 6, 2026!  As of January 6 a digital version of the Catalogue will be available through my website for you to access at your convenience.  Coinciding with the launch of the Mini Catalogue on January 6 there will also be a release of many new Online Exclusives products!  All of these new products will help ignite our creative juices - a sure fire cure for any post-Christmas blues!

Stampin' Up! advises that the following product and tools I used this week are not currently available, but I have included below the dates when Stampin' Up! expects the product and tools to again be available for ordering:

• Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755) - week of January 5, 2026;
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - week of January 5, 2026; and
• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - week of January 12, 2026.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin’ Up!® products I have used in my projects, and you live in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store found on my website https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/ at your convenience, or simply click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog, which will take you directly to my website and online store.  I very much appreciate your business, and would be very pleased to be your demonstrator! If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com), and I will try my best to help!  In addition to the digital version of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue, the digital version of the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue is also available for you to access at your convenience on my website.   If visiting the online store don't forget to check out the Last Chance Products Listing - but just a reminder that all Last Chance Products are available only while supplies last!

Merry Christmas and have fun creating!

Laurel

*It has come to my attention that quite often email correspondence from me is delivered to the recipient's spam or junk mail folder - if you have corresponded with me I have replied so be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder!  Thank you!! 

"It is impossible for a lover of cats to banish these alert, gentle, and discriminating friends who give us just enough of their regard and complaisance to make us hunger for more."

- Agnes Repplier -